Bed spring



June 16, 1959 L. E. FREY 2,890,454

BED SPRING Filed July 5, 1957' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J4 7 12 c W 7 2 Lou/S 21107? 179E) INVENTOR.

MCZ EW Afro/Quiz June 16, 1959 L. E. FREY 2,890,464

BED SPRING Filed July 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 laws 20077 1795;.

INVENTOR.

A rraewzn BED SPRING Louis Elliott Frey, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 5, 1957, Serial No. 670,307

8 Claims. (Cl. -320) This invention relates to a bed spring.

At the present time, a bed customarily includes a coil or box spring with a mattress loosely resting upon its upper surface. The bed covers, including the sheets, blankets, bed spreads, etc., extend across the top of the mattress with their lower ends being tucked between the mattress and spring along the foot end of the bed. The bed coverings are also customarily tucked in from both sides of the bed as well as from the end, causing an overlapping of several thicknesses of bed coverings to occur adjacent the two corners at the foot of the bed. The overlapping portions of the bed coverings tucked between the mattress and spring thus cause lumpiness or bulging to occur at the corners at the foot of the bed, making it impossible to achieve a neat and tailored appearance.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved bed structure which automatically eliminates any lumpiness or unsightly appearance which results from tucking in the bed covers in the normal manner.

In essence, my invention contemplates a bed structure having means to receive and accommodate or store the ends of the bed coverings between the mattress and spring without affecting the appearance and comfort of the bed. In the preferred embodiment of my invention, such means comprises forming the portion of the spring adjacent the foot of the bed in such a manner that a recess is provided adjacent each of the bottom corners in order to accommodate the overlapping ends of the bed coverings without their becoming bunched up and deforming the top surface of the bed.

The present invention is believed to be an improvement upon the construction shown in my prior application for patent, Serial No. 577,047 filed April 9, 1946, now Patent No. 2,832,966, granted May 6, 1958. In that application, a bed structure was shown in which the spring was provided with a recess for receiving and storing the bed coverings, the recess extending transversely across the entire foot portion of the bed. It has been found that this structure, while superior to conventional spring structures, has a disadvantage in that the center portion of the recess is not necessary and in use is not filled with bed coverings. This occurs due to the fact that the side edges of the bed coverings when tucked in at the foot corners of the bed extend only part, but not all, of the way to the center of the bed. The result is that there is an undesirable recess between the spring and mattress at the center of the foot portion of the bed. This may cause discomfort for persons seated upon this portion of the bed, or may cause a sinking or depression to occur around this area.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this difiiculty by providing a pair of recesses disposed at the foot corners of the bed. In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the center of the foot portion of the spring remains at the same height as the rest of the spring so that it will continue to support the mattress. When the bed coverings are tucked in, they substantially fill the two corner recesses and the mattress is fully supice ported across the entire area of the spring. At the same time, suflicient space has been provided so that the overlapping portions of the bed coverings are completely accommodated and stored in the corner recesses without substantial displacement of the mattress and without lumpiness at the corners of the bed.

It is accordangly an object of my invention to provide a novel bed or spring construction having all of the advantages and benefits of the construction set forth above. It is a further object of my invention to provide such a structure which is substantially economical to manufacture and which is far more satisfactory in performance than conventional bed and spring structures.

While my invention is capable of universal use, it is believed to be particularly adapted for use in hotels, where maids are often careless in making beds, and in convertible sofa beds and studio couches, which become unsightly and uncomfortable for daytime use, due to the bed covering ends which are disposed between the spring and mattress.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of one end of a bed spring embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same, taken on line 2,--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the same, taken on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view on a reduced scale showing one end of a spring embodying my invention in use with a mattress and bed coverings.

A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises a bed spring 10, which is illustrated in the drawings in the more common form of a box spring, although my invention is equally adapted for use in constructing an open coil spring as well. The major portion of the bed spring 10 is constructed in a conventional manner, my invention relating only to the foot portion of the bed spring 10.

The bed spring ll) includes a plurality of coil springs 11 having their lower ends supported by wooden cross pieces 12. The cross pieces 12 are supported by a rectangular base 13, to which is secured an upwardly directed piece 14 and a downwardly directed piece 15, the latter being square in cross-section. The base members 13, 14 and 15 all extend around the bottom of the bed spring 10.

Extending around the top of the bed spring 10 is a rectangular top frame member 16, which is preferably formed of metal. The coil springs 11 which are adjacent the periphery of the spring 10 are secured to the top frame member 16 by metal clips 17.

A cover 18 extends across the top of the spring 10 and around the sides and ends thereof, its edges being tacked to the bottom of the base member 15. Padding 19 is disposed between the cover 18 and the tops of the coil springs 11. Portions of the padding 19 have been broken away or omitted in the drawings in order to clarify the showing of the structural parts.

A center support member 20 having the shape of a symmetrical trapezoid is secured along its outer end 20a to the center of the foot portion of the top frame member 16 by a pair of clips 17. The opposite parallel longer inner end 20b of the support member 20 is secured to the three center coil springs 11 of the third row from,

the foot; The support member 20 extends horizontally, parallel to the base 13 and acts to support the center of the foot portion of the bed spring at the same level as the remainder of the spring 10.

Two] trapezoidal pockets or. depressions areformed adjacent the two foot corners of the spring 10 by a pair of corner members 21 and 22, which have their longer portions 21a and 22a extending adjacentbut beneath the sides 20c and 20d of the support member 20. .The.

corner members 21 and. 22 are bent. at an angle to provide shorter portions 21b and 22b which extend from adjacent the opposite sides of the inner end 20b of the support member 20 to adjacent the top frame member 16 on opposite sides of the bed spring 10.

The ends of the corner members 21 and 22 which are disposed adjacent the top frame member 16 at the foot of the spring 10 are secured by ties 25, which extend directly downwardly to the base members 14. The ends which are adjacent the sides of the spring 10 are secured by similar ties 32. All of the ends of the corner members 21 and 22 are disposed directly adjacent the top frame member 16. The angled corners of the corner members 21 and 22 are secured by ties 23, which extend downwardly to the cross piece 12 which is disposed beneath the third row of coil springs from the foot. The midportions of the longer portions 21a and 22a of the corner members 21 and 22 are secured by ties 24, which extend downwardly to the cross piece 12 which is disposed beneath the second row of coil springs from the foot.

The angled corners of the corner members 21 and 22 are pulled the greatest distance downwardly toward the base 13, so that the longer portions 21a and 22a and the shorter portions 21b and 22b extend at an angle downwardly from the top frame 16. All of the coil springs 11 in the third row from the foot are at normal height. The tops of the two coil springs 11w which are disposed directly beneath the longer portions 21a and 22a are depressed substantially beneath the tops of the other coil springs 11 to form the lowest points of the bed covering receiving pockets 26 and 27 which are formed at the foot corners of the bed spring 10. The tops of the adjacent pairs of coil springs 11x, 11y and 112 are slightly depressed in an angular manner toward the low points of the pockets 26 and 27 by the corner members 21 and 22.

The cover 18 is preferably provided with a pair of cloth inserts 18a and 18b which are stitched. to the cover 18 and which extend along the vertical walls of the pockets 26 and 27. The cover 18 is stitched around the corner members 21 and 22 so that the cover 18 fits tightly across all portions of the top of the spring 10, including the corner pockets 26 and 27.

In use, the structure described provides a bed spring 10 which is conventional in construction except that the foot portion thereof is provided at its corners with a pair of downwardly depressed pockets 26 and 27. The pockets 26 and 27 slant downwardly from the foot and sides of the bed spring 10 to a deep point which is preferably one or two inches below the top of the remainder of the bed spring 10. The foot portion of the bed spring 10 between the pockets 26 and 27 is the same height as the rest of the bed spring 10.

In use, the bed spring 10 is used with a mattress 30, which rests upon the upper surface of the bed spring 10. A plurality of bed coverings 31 extend across the top of the mattress 30, with their end and lower side portions extending between the mattress 30 and bed spring 10. The overlapping portions of the bed coverings 31 are received and stored within the pockets 26 and 27 so that the corners of the mattress 30 are not substantially displaced from the top of the bed spring 10. At the same time, the center of the foot portion, which does not receive the overlapping side portions of the bed coverings 31, provides firm support for the mattress 30 and for persons seated or lying upon the bed.

I 4 The ties 32, 23, 24 and 25 may be formed of cord,

straight wire or coiled wire, the wire constructions pro-- and tying means extending from said corner members to the bottom of said frame to hold said corner members and the coil springs disposed therebeneath depressed substantially beneath said upper frame to provide a. pair of recesses adjacent the foot corners of said spring, said recesses being depressed beneath said upper frame and being adapted to receive the tucked in overlapping corner portions of bed covering, said center support member maintaining the portion of said spring between said re-- cesses at substantially the same height as said upper frame.

2. In a bed spring having an upper frame extending horizontally around its entire upper periphery, a. bottom and a plurality of coil springs extending therebetween, a pair of corner members disposed within the periphery of said frame adjacent the foot corners thereof, and tying means extending from said corner members to the bottom of said frame to hold said corner members and the coil springs disposed therebeneath depressed substantially beneath said upper frame to provide a pair of recesses adjacent the foot corners of said spring, said recesses being adapted to receive the tucked in overlapping corner portions of bed coverings.

3. A bed spring having a bottom, a substantially rectangular horizontally directed upper frame extending around the upper portion of said spring, a plurality of coils mounted within said frame between said frame and said bottom, a symmetrical trapezoidal center support member having an outer end extending parallel and secured to the foot portion of said upper frame, said center support member having an inner end ex tending parallel to said outer end, said inner end being disposed inwardly from the foot portion of said upper frame, said inner end being secured to some of the coils mounted within said frame so that said center support member extends in substantially the same plane as said upper frame, a pair of corner members, each of said corner members having one end disposed adjacent and at substantially the same level as the foot portion of said upper frame, each of said corner members having another end disposed adjacent and at substantially the same level as the side of said upper frame, each of said corner members having a longer portion extending adjacent one side of said center support member, each of said corner members having a shorter portion extending from the inner end of said center support member to the side of said upper frame, tying means extending between each of said ends of said corner members and the bottom of said frame, tying means extending between the intersections of said longer and shorter portions of each of said corner members and the bottom of said frame, said last mentioned tying means holding said intersections substantially beneath the plane of said upper frame, so that said longer and shorter portions slant downwardly toward said intersections, said corner members depressing the coil springs disposed therebeneath to provide a pair of recesses adjacent the foot corners of said spring, said recesses being disposed substantially beneath the plane of said upper frame, said center support member maintaining the portion of said spring between said recesses .at substantially the same plane as said upper frame, said corner recesses being adapted to receive the tucked in overlapping corner portions of bed coverings.

4. A bed spring having a bottom, a substantially rectangular horizontally directed upper frame extending around the upper portion of said spring, a plurality of coils mounted Within said frame between said frame and said bottom, a center support member having an outer end secured to the foot portion of said upper frame, said center support member having an inner end disposed inwardly from the foot portion of said upper frame, said inner end being secured to some of the coils mounted within said frame so that said center support member extends in substantially the same plane as said upper frame, a pair of corner members, each of said corner members extending inwardly from the corners of said frame, tying means extending between said corner members and the bottom of said frame, said tying means holding the inner portions of said corner members substantially beneath the plane of said upper frame, said corner members depressing the coils disposed therebeneat-h to provide a pair of recesses adjacent the foot corners of said spring, said recesses being disposed substantially beneath the plane of said upper frame, said center support member maintaining the portion of said spring between said recesses at substantially the same plane as said upper frame, said corner recesses being adapted to receive the tucked in overlapping corner portions of bed coverings.

5. A bed spring having a bottom, a horizontally directed substantially rectangular upper frame extending around the upper portion of said spring, a plurality of coils mounted within said frame between said frame and said bottom, a pair of corner members, each of said corner members extending inwardly from the corners of said frame, tying means extending between said corner members and the bottom of said frame, said tying means holding the inner portions of said corner members substantially beneath the plane of said upper frame, said corner members depressing the coils disposed therebeneath to provide a pair of recesses adjacent the foot corners of said spring, said recesses being disposed substantially beneath the plane of said upper frame, said corner recesses being adapted to receive the tucked in overlapping corner portions of bed coverings.

6. A bed spring adapted to be used with a mattress and a plurality of bed coverings, said spring having upper head, foot and side edges of uniform height defining a horizontal upper surface, said mattress having horizontal upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface of said mattress resting upon the upper surface of said spring, said coverings extending across the upper surface of said mattress, the lower ends of said coverings extending between said mattress and spring adjacent the foot portion thereof, the lower side portions of said coverings extending between the foot portion of said mattress and spring adjacent the corners thereof, the foot portion of said spring having a generally horizontal recess adjacent each corner thereof, said recesses slanting inwardly and downwardly from the upper side and foot edges of said spring adjacent the foot corners of said spring to provide a pair of pockets which are depressed substantially beneath the upper surface of said spring in which pockets the overlapping corner portions of said bed coverings 6 are adapted to be tucked, the height of the upper edges of said spring at the foot corners thereof being the same as the height of the upper edges of the remainder of said spring.

7. A generally rectangular bed spring having upper edges of uniform height around its entire periphery, said edges defining a horizontal upper surface, said bed spring adapted to be used with a mattress and a plurality of bed coverings, said mattress having horizontal upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface of said mattress resting upon the upper surface of said spring, said coverings extending across the upper surface of said mattress, the lower ends of said coverings extending between said mattress and spring adjacent the foot portion thereof, the lower side portions of said coverings extending between the foot portion of said mattress and spring adjacent the corners thereof, the foot portion of said spring having a generally horizontal recess adjacent each corner thereof, said recesses extending inwardly from the upper side and foot edges of said spring to provide a pair of pockets which are depressed substantially beneath the horizontal upper surface of said spring, in which pockets the overlapping corner portions of said bed coverings are adapted to be tucked, the upper peripheral edges of said spring adjacent said recesses being of the same height as the horizontal upper surface of said spring, the foot portion of said spring between said pockets comprising a substantial area having substantially the same height as the remainder of the horizontal upper surface of said spring.

8. A bed spring adapted to be used with a mattress and a plurality of bed coverings, said spring having a horizontal upper surface, said mattress having horizontal upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface of said mattress resting upon the upper surface of said spring, said coverings extending across the upper surface of said mattress, the lower ends of said coverings extending between said mattress and spring adjacent the foot portion thereof, the lower side portions of said coverings extending between the foot portion of said mattress and spring adjacent the corners thereof, the foot portion of said spring having a generally horizontal recess adjacent each corner thereof, said recesses extending inwardly from the upper side and foot edges of said spring adjacent the foot corners of said spring to provide a pair of pockets which are depressed substantially beneath the upper surface of said spring, in which pockets the overlapping corner portions of said bed coverings are adapted to be tucked, the foot portion of said spring between said pockets comprising a substantial area having substantially the same height as the remainder of the upper surface of said spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,119,706 Drexler June 7, 1938 2,462,579 Warner Feb. 22, 1949 2,560,018 Warner July 10, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 192,535 Great Britain Feb. 8, 1923 

